Try mixing two or more grits of sandpaper together since each has a different look and texture. Cindy used 100 (medium) and 150 (fine) on her layout, backing the castle windows with the rougher grit.

Use sandpaper to create a sand dune accent or a beach scene on your layout. Use a sharp craft knife to score curved lines on a piece of sandpaper. Tear along the scored lines to get a rough paper edge. Ink the edges if desired. (Cindy inked just below the torn paper edge to keep the raw edge a lighter tan color.)

If your sandcastle (or other paper-pieced item) is small, use small foam squares to add dimension.

Choose a small inkpad to reach tight interior corners on your cut-out shapes.

Cindy cut pieces of plastic from her son's inflatable ring to use on her layout. She cut a circle from it to frame her journaling tag and a wavy rectangle to use for the sandcastle's flag.

More tips for sandy looks

Use a texture powder, sand, or fine art sand with liquid glue to create a sandy texture on your layout.

Write a title using a fine tipped glue applicator as a pen. Quickly spread texture powder over it. Allow it to dry, then gently tap off the excess.

Embed cream- and tan-colored beads to embossing enamel. Work in small sections, adding layers of beads and embossing enamel to your project.

CK Q&A

Q. Can I use actual sand on my layout? How do I keep it from getting everywhere?

A. Yes. Be sure to use a high-tack glue to hold it in place. If you're concerned about loose particles, consider spraying it with an art sealant. Or, instead, you could mix the sand with clear-drying glue or texture medium and spread it on your page.

Q. I love the look of the beaded title letters, but don't want to heat emboss. What else can I use to get this look?

A. Use a clear liquid glue like Diamond Glaze by JudiKins to hold the beads in place.

Q. I want my sand to have a little bit of sparkle. Any suggestions?

A. Yes, there are several techniques you can try, here are three to get you started:

1. Use a piece of glittered cardstock as the foundation for your sandy accent.

2. Mix a little glitter into the texture powder or embossing enamel.

3. Apply a light coat of glitter spray to the sandpaper or your finished project.